Ruminant and industrial trans fatty acids: Consumption data and health aspects. Is there a difference?

Abstract

AbstractConsumption of trans fatty acids (TFA) has been associated with a higher risk of coronary heart diseases. In our daily food pattern two different sources of TFA can be distinguished: ruminant TFA and industrial TFA. Controversy exists between the health effects of both sources. Now, new findings are available in which both TFA sources are investigated in intervention studies. Also, an epidemiological study is published in which a wide intake of ruminant TFA is investigated. These data suggest that there is no nutritional difference between the sources. However, total TFA intake in most European countries is nowadays already reduced to recommendation levels, so that the risk of coronary heart diseases is not increased anymore. Focus should be addressed to other issues like reduction of saturated fatty acids.